Image 20.1
What can you infer from this ? Lachesis has the general symptom of pressure , constriction , tension and tightness in different parts of the body or in general . This is called ‘ analogy ’.
This is what you first infer , and then confirm , in clinics . Then you will find that Lachesis has actually cured tightness in the knee even though in the provings , there was not any such tightness in the knee documented . But because you inferred it and clinically proved it , Lachesis is now seen in the general rubric ‘ tightness ’ based on Boenninghausen ’ s analogy . This is where you start getting creative – but remain grounded through clinical data – to document this information .
Group Analysis Another powerful tool for generalisation is group analysis , or the study of remedies by groups or by kingdom . It is defined as follows : If a symptom is present in three or four remedies belonging to the same group , then it becomes a general . Group analysis is not just a contemporary concept given by Jan Scholten or Sankaran . In fact , it was first proposed by Hahnemann .
How does group analysis work ? I want to take you back to Hahnemann ’ s example on how he presented the concept of group analysis when he was talking about Ignatia and Nux Vomica . In Homoeopathic Drug Pictures by Margaret Tyler , 3 she talks about how Hahnemann compared the mentality of the two remedies Ignatia and Nux Vomica . [ Image20.1 ]
Hahnemann mentions here that he compared them because it could be ‘ inferred from the botanical relationship between the two plants ’ that there are quite a few common symptoms to both of them . But ‘ the emotional disturbances of ’ people ‘ for whom Ignatia is serviceable differs widely from that of ’ people ‘ for whom Nux is of use ’. This understanding is very important , because this is the most common mistake I see new practitioners make when using group analysis . And it ’ s wonderful to see how Hahnemann overcomes it . He is saying that although the positive effects of Ignatia are similar to that of Nux Vomica because they belong to the same botanical family , ‘ Ignatia is not suitable for people in whom anger , eagerness or violence is predominant , but for those who are subject to rapid alternations of gaiety and disposition to weep , or in whom we notice the emotional states . ‘ Even in a high potency , Ignatia ’ has ‘ no tendency to break ’ into violence ‘ or revenge themselves , but keep their annoyance to themselves .’ Their ‘ vexatious occurrence is to dwell in the mind , and ... cause grief ’. Hahnemann is saying here that Ignatia has emotional disturbances , disposition of anger and vexation just like Nux Vomica . However , it is much milder in its expression and much more suppressed in its manifestation . It dwells , it silently grieves , it sighs . On the other hand , Nux is quite violent and quite expressive . This is a subtle difference but a key difference between Nux and Ignatia , even though the other generals are the same .
The generalisation common to both remedies from the same group is the tendency to anger , vexation , annoyance and aggravation . But where Nux is violent , Ignatia is mild and suppressed and sobbing . That is the key . Remember : Group analysis will give you the common general symptoms of a remedy , but you will need to use it in correlation with the proving data to find the specific generals . Together they will give you the real perspective and the real depth and balance of your remedy understanding .
The beauty is that once you know the generals of a group , you can apply it to every other remedy in that group – even the unknown ones . You suddenly are able to master dozens of other remedies from the Loganiaceae family , which is the Nux Vomica family , because they share a common set of indications . All you need to know are those one or two peculiar symptoms of each individual remedy to differentiate and prescribe them .
For me , group analysis has helped me expand my knowledge of materia medica ten or twenty times in such a short time . And until you have used this tool , you will not believe how powerful it is . It ’ s one of the best leverages of your materia medica .
Where to find group analysis information ? Direct provings are the most useful way to get information on the generals in a drug . But again , you will need to use the concepts of analogy and generalisation through Boenninghausen ’ s method . There are homoeopaths like Dr Sankaran , Dr Jan Scholten , Dr Mahesh Gandhi , Dr Michael Yakir and many more who have already done the work for you . They have sorted out the generals , they have looked at the clinicals , they have looked at the common symptoms in a group or a kingdom and they have created materia medicas based only on group analysis . That is the basis . You can do it yourself and confirm it , or you can look at the work of other people who have done the hard work for you .
It is this creative aspect that you need to own and connect to , so that you can find that holistic essence or the overview of a remedy . Yes , there is a chance and a warning here that it can go into flights of fantasy ; you need to be grounded and understand the proving , and compare and filter your findings with the proving , to get the best results . But this is the beauty and the strength and the power of homoeopathy once you start working at Stage 3 and using these new tools .
JATMS | Spring 2024 | 153